Sect

After consuming large amounts of meat and supplementing with Blood Vitality Powder, Chen Qing's physical strength had improved tremendously, and the number of times he could practice Tongbei Fist each day was steadily increasing.

[Heaven Rewards Diligence, and there shall surely be achievement]

[Tongbei Stance Practice, Minor Accomplishment (871/1000)]

[Tongbei Fist, Minor Accomplishment (781/1000)]

[Gale Blade Technique, Minor Accomplishment (66/1000)]

"At most another month, and I'll break through to the Hidden Strength realm."

Chen Qing calculated silently. After making a quick tidying-up, he headed for Clear River Wharf.

Lately, he had been practicing diligently, and his consumption of Blood Vitality Powder had grown especially immense.

This Blood Vitality Powder not only increased qi and blood, but also had the remarkable effect of relieving fatigue, allowing him to maintain high-intensity training.

The moment Chen Qing stepped through the River Bureau's gates, Old Li hurried over. "A Qing, emergency assembly."

Old Li and Chen Qing both served under Cheng Ming. He had worked at the River Bureau for over twenty years, but due to his strength, he had never been promoted to River Commissioner.

"Assembly!?"

Chen Qing was somewhat puzzled.

Old Li lowered his voice. "Don't ask. Come with me."

Before long, every River Patrol Guard in the River Bureau had gathered, including even part-time appointees like Chen Qing.

A distinguished middle-aged man approached amid the escort of Cheng Ming and the other River Commissioners. This man was Chief River Commissioner Ke Yunqi.

Ke Yunqi's lightning-sharp gaze swept across the crowd as he said in a deep voice, "Commander Pang will arrive at South River Wharf at noon. Every squad must strictly guard its assigned stretch of river. If any petty scoundrels cause trouble, apprehend them on the spot."

At this, Chen Qing immediately understood.

No wonder the entire River Bureau was making such a major move. They were welcoming Commander Pang's return after mourning.

With the order issued, the nine squads swiftly spread out to fortify the key passages throughout South River.

Houses lined both banks of South River in neat, overlapping rows, forming a distinctive maze of lanes and courtyards.

Ships darted back and forth across the river's glittering surface like shuttles.

On one side lay the bustling clamor of the Outer City; on the other, the blazing lights of the Inner City, its prosperous splendor never ceasing through the night.

"The Inner City is the true place of carefree living," Cheng Ming said with a sigh. "The taverns, flower boats, and gambling houses here stay open day and night. As long as you have enough silver, this place is Heaven on Earth. How many people in the Outer City would squeeze their way in even if they could only settle at the very edge of the Inner City?"

Several veteran Patrol Guards revealed longing expressions at his words.

Cheng Ming looked at Old Li. "With your savings, you should be able to buy two rooms in the Inner City next year, right?"

Old Li gave a bitter smile. "The year after next. Housing prices in the Inner City have risen quite a bit again."

Chen Qing looked toward the Inner City not far away and silently pondered as well.

Gangs ran rampant through the Outer City slums, where the environment was vile, while the Inner City was the promised land everyone yearned for.

In this world, the gulf between classes had long been carved deep into every person's bones.

For the poor to turn their lives around and cross the divide of class was truly difficult in the extreme.

The paths to true wealth and prosperity had long been firmly clutched in the hands of the Great Clans. Ordinary people could scarcely find a place for themselves.

Only the path of the Martial Arts Examination seemed capable of breaking free from these shackles and finding a sliver of hope.

Yet how could ordinary folk possibly afford to raise a martial student?

Money, resources, connections—every one of them was a tiger blocking the road.

The ancients often said that humble origins rarely produced noble sons, but many people did not even understand what "humble origins" truly meant—it referred to fallen Great Clans, who still had some ancestral shade to rely upon and some connections to maintain.

But someone like Chen Qing, with no house or fields and barely making a living from two boats,

could at best be considered half an ordinary commoner.

If even humble origins had such difficulty producing noble sons, then for ordinary commoners to change their fate and rise across the ranks was harder than ascending to heaven.

At that moment, a Patrol Guard cried out softly, "Isn't that Hou Huaiyu, the Blood River Gang's deputy leader, 'Wind Chaser'!?"

Following his finger, Chen Qing saw four or five burly men dressed in the gang's uniform clothing, their arms embroidered with various patterns. These men were tall and powerfully built. The leading man sat indifferently in a corner drinking tea, and at a glance, he was clearly not someone to provoke.

Old Li narrowed his eyes. "The Iron Hand Gang is here too."

Not far away, another group of imposing gang members stood watching.

The Blood River Gang and Iron Hand Gang were the two largest gangs in Gaolin County. Both had many experts and their own industries; they were simply not comparable to small gangs like the Golden River Gang and Blackwater Gang.

Cheng Ming said slowly, "When the Commandant was here, he struck these gangs especially harshly. The Boatmen's Gang, once the largest gang, was uprooted by him entirely. Now that the Commandant has returned, the Blood River Gang and Iron Hand Gang naturally want to test the waters."

Besides the two major gangs, forces such as Wangyuan Escort Agency and the Weapon Forging Shop had also sent people.

Even more eye-catching were the disciples of Guangchang Martial Arts School and Hongyun Martial Arts School. Every one of them was brimming with qi and blood, clearly skilled fighters.

Cheng Ming reminded them from the side, "You should all know Chief Escort Wu of Wangyuan Escort Agency and Manager Cao of the Weapon Forging Shop. Under no circumstances can we offend these forces."

Old Li hesitated for a moment before saying, "Guo Ziao, the Senior Disciple Brother of Guangchang Martial Arts School, possesses Transformation Force. If you encounter him in the future, be sure to be careful. That man has a fiery temper."

The younger Patrol Guards had clearly long heard of Guo Ziao's fierce reputation, and all nodded solemnly.

Chen Qing's heart tightened as he memorized the faces of every expert present.

This was the first time he had come into contact with so many forces, so many experts.

After all, the Commandant might not remember who had come, but he would certainly know exactly who had not.

Just then, a commotion arose on the river.

"Zhu Qing! He's a Transformation Force expert of the Zhu Clan."

"He isn't someone easy to talk to. The Five Great Clans have sent him to welcome the Commandant and cleanse the dust from his journey—could it be...?"

Everyone followed the voices and saw a lavishly decorated pleasure boat slowly approaching. At its prow stood a distinguished middle-aged man.

Zhu Qing was not only a Transformation Force expert; the Five Great Clans also stood behind him.

His appearance instantly tightened the atmosphere at the scene.

"He's here! The Commandant has returned!"

A sudden uproar burst through the crowd, and the entire riverway instantly boiled over.

The experts from every faction, who had been watching leisurely moments ago, rose one after another, their gazes turning in unison toward the distant river.

A Covered Boat slowly approached. Seated at its prow was a middle-aged man in a green robe.

His face was calm, with a trace of detached indifference between his brows. He was Pang Qinghai, the Commandant of Gaolin County.

The instant Commander Pang appeared, discussion surged around them like a rising tide.

"That's Commander Pang!"

Even Cheng Ming could not help exclaiming, "It is said that he passed the Martial Scholar examination at fifteen and the provincial martial examination at eighteen. He mastered the Eight Desolations Prison Suppression Art, and the Boatmen's Gang leader of old was beaten to death by his palm."

"That Boatmen's Gang leader was a peak Transformation Force expert!"

Chen Qing focused his gaze. Zhu Qing, who had been so imposing moments ago, unexpectedly hurried forward to greet him.

The two spoke cheerfully, without the slightest air of drawn swords and bent bows.

Everyone consciously made way, watching the group head toward the Inner City.

Even after Commander Pang's figure vanished around a street corner, the surrounding discussion continued for a long time.

The scene of heroes gathering kept replaying in Chen Qing's mind, and the shock in his heart would not subside.

"Commandant Pang truly deserves to be from the Wutai Sect," Old Li said with deep emotion. "Even the Five Great Clans have to yield him three parts of respect."

A trace of confusion appeared in Chen Qing's eyes. "The Wutai Sect?"

Cheng Ming explained, "These sects can be called states within the state. Every year, the tax silver collected from every region is divided into two shares: one for the Imperial Court, and one for the sects."

"The sects' responsibility is to protect the cities and common people across the land, while also clearing out heretical cults and rebellions."

"Our Yunlin Prefecture has four great sects, and the Wutai Sect is one of them. It is said that the sect possesses profound and mysterious martial arts, secret methods, and even..."

Cheng Ming lowered his voice. "Experts Above Transforming Strength stand guard within it. That is why Commander Pang's status is so extraordinary."

Upon hearing this, towering waves surged through Chen Qing's heart.

The power of Bright Strength already surpassed ordinary imagination. What kind of realm, then, lay Above Transforming Strength?

Could it be that... Cultivators truly existed in this world?

His current strength was still meager, and all he had seen and heard was merely a drop in the vast ocean.

"Boss, how can one join the Wutai Sect?"

A flame of yearning ignited in a young Patrol Guard's eyes.

Cheng Ming shook his head with a bitter smile. "First, you must distinguish yourself in the Martial Arts Examination, then undergo layer upon layer of selection in the Prefecture City..."

"Pass the Martial Arts Examination with honors."

The young Patrol Guard clenched his fists.

Chen Qing remained silent.

"Still too young."

Old Li looked at the hot-blooded youth and secretly shook his head.

"Don't think so much about it. Those things are all too far away from us."

Cheng Ming glanced at them. "What matters most right now is settling down and getting through the hurdle before our eyes first."